Mount Pleasant and Cole Mountain in George Washington National Forest, VA

Hike Mount Pleasant and Cole Mountain George Washington National Forest, VA

Class 1 12.2 miles 2600 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Jul 4, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Mount Pleasant and Cole Mountain are a pair of very pretty peaks in Virginia, both accessed from the same trailhead. I decided to do them both in the same day, creating a figure-8 loop. I started up Mount Pleasant first and did this hike clockwise. This follows the Henry Lanum Memorial Trail through the forest and to a junction where a spur trail continues to the summit of Mount Pleasant. The high point is the west summit, but you get wider, unobstructed views of the mountains and a peek at the meadow-filled summit of Cole Mountain from the eastern view point. I backtracked to the Summit Trail junction and continued along the Henry Lanum Memorial Trail back to the trailhead. It's well-marked and easy to follow, plus quite popular.

Back at the trailhead, I started up Cole Mountain (sometimes called Cold Mountain), choosing to do this hike clockwise as well. I took the Hotel Trail, which wraps around the south side of Cole Mountain. It's mostly a trail through the forest, but has some little meadows and views. The Hotel Trail leads up to Cowcamp Gap, where it intersects with the Appalachian Trail. To get to Cole Mountain, head to the right (east) and ascend on switchbacks to the pretty meadow-filled bald summit. The Appalachian Trail continues east through Cole Mountain's meadows and down to a parking area a short hike to the west of the starting trailhead. I followed the road back to the trailhead.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Pleasant
4040 ft
800 rise

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Starting along the Henry Lanum Memorial Trail, a loop.
Starting along the Henry Lanum Memorial Trail, a loop.
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It's pretty much just a forested walk to the base of Mount Pleasant.
It's pretty much just a forested walk to the base of Mount Pleasant.
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Junction with the summit trail (left) to reach Mount Pleasant. The Henry Lanum loop continues to the right. I'll be getting back to this junction after checking out the Mount Pleasant summit.
Junction with the summit trail (left) to reach Mount Pleasant. The Henry Lanum loop continues to the right. I'll be getting back to this junction after checking out the Mount Pleasant summit.
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Ascending to Mount Pleasant.
Ascending to Mount Pleasant.
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Approaching the west overlook of Mount Pleasant, the taller point.
Approaching the west overlook of Mount Pleasant, the taller point.
West overlook from Mt. Pleasant.
West overlook from Mt. Pleasant.
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Approaching the east overlook.
Approaching the east overlook.
East overlook from Mount Pleasant.
East overlook from Mount Pleasant.
Close-up of Cole Mountain (right center), where you can kind of make out the meadows of the summit through the haze.
Close-up of Cole Mountain (right center), where you can kind of make out the meadows of the summit through the haze.
After getting back to the Henry Lanum Memorial Trail junction, I continued the loop by following the southern half.
After getting back to the Henry Lanum Memorial Trail junction, I continued the loop by following the southern half.
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Some nice views, but overall mostly just a forested walk to complete the Mount Pleasant loop.
Some nice views, but overall mostly just a forested walk to complete the Mount Pleasant loop.
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Back at the trailhead, completing the Mount Pleasant loop.
Back at the trailhead, completing the Mount Pleasant loop.
Now for Cole Mountain. I started from the same trailhead and headed along the Old Hotel Trail, the southern part of the loop (clockwise).
Now for Cole Mountain. I started from the same trailhead and headed along the Old Hotel Trail, the southern part of the loop (clockwise).
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Some nice views along the hike.
Some nice views along the hike.
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Hotel Trail opens up for some meadows shortly after starting.
Hotel Trail opens up for some meadows shortly after starting.
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Hotel Trail winding up and down, mostly forested for its duration.
Hotel Trail winding up and down, mostly forested for its duration.
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Hotel Trail passes a shelter (right) before ascending and then meeting up with the Appalachian Trail.
Hotel Trail passes a shelter (right) before ascending and then meeting up with the Appalachian Trail.
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Viewpoint along the Appalachian Trail.
Viewpoint along the Appalachian Trail.
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Along the Appalachian Trail as I head up to Cole Mountain.
Along the Appalachian Trail as I head up to Cole Mountain.
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Approaching the open meadows that are the Cole Mountain summit.
Approaching the open meadows that are the Cole Mountain summit.
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Beautiful summit area of Cole Mountain.
Beautiful summit area of Cole Mountain.
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Looking back the way I came.
Looking back the way I came.
Heading down the east side of Cole Mountain along the Appalachian Trail.
Heading down the east side of Cole Mountain along the Appalachian Trail.
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The Appalachian Trail exits the woods.
The Appalachian Trail exits the woods.
Following the forest road east back to my original trailhead.
Following the forest road east back to my original trailhead.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!